I just purchased a 2012 Wrangler Unlimited. Altitude model. The nut in the drivers side freedom panel that the screw in bolt that goes through the roll bar is missing. Looks like what ever was mounted there is gone. Has anyone ever had to replace this? I am not finding a lot of info on how to do this or if its even possible. There is one on the passenger side. Im not even sure what its called. Any help or insight would be appreciated. Thanks

 

Picture? Are you just talking about the alignment nub on the freedom panel?

 

No, its not the alignment nub. Im sorry I am not sure what its called. Once you place both panels in, there is a bolt for each side with a cap that you screw into the panel. Thats in addition to the leavers you lock into place to tighten the panels down. The bolt has a cap on it that allows you to screw through the roll bar and into the panel. My panel is missing the nut that the bolt goes into. There is one on the passenger side. Thanks

 

ah, you're talking about the screw that goes up through the sound bar plastic towards the rear of the freedom panel. I would not say those are "necessary" if it's a concern to you, in fact, I have not used mine since 2013 since the first time I took the top off mine.

I believe this is what you're looking "at" -

https://www.quadratec.com/p/omix/tar...er-jk-11251.11

So you are saying the nut inside the panel is missing and you have the screw but it obviously does not secure into anything in the freedom panel? If that is the case, again, I don't think I'd be too concerned with using them. let me run outside and look at my panel.

 

I see what you're talking about now. That "nut" appears to be an assembly that is inside the panel and then rivetted into place. That does not look like something that is replaceable, nor easily dealt with. I don't think I'd stress too much bout it. Curious to see a picture of yours though. I don't see how that could brake or come off.

 

Thanks for the replies. I've decided just to live with it. Dont think its much an issue. Dont want to buy a replacement panel.

 

I have never had an issue running without them....no leaks or anything. The one time I could ever see them being useful is if someone wanted to run with no hard top in back but leave the freedom panels installed for the front. At that point they are helping secure the rear of the panels a bit better to the rollbar.

 

[QUOTE=resharp001;4396827]ah, you're talking about the screw that goes up through the sound bar plastic towards the rear of the freedom panel. I would not say those are "necessary" if it's a concern to you, in fact, I have not used mine since 2013 since the first time I took the top off mine.
/QUOTE]

Interesting, no leaks or anything resharp?

 

No, I've never had an issue myself. I think I used them one time back when the jeep was new and it was my DD. I was topless as much as possible but every now and then it would be raining and I'd have to plop the top back on to go to work.....so in the early days I had a lot of top on/off activity. After the first time I just decided I didn't have time for the nonsense of those bolts. I never had an issue and never thought much else about them. I still have them in a box tucked away with other random parts but they haven't been installed for 9 years now.

 

Thanks for the info. With the other swing-lever-clamps I would think it is very solid